The Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Edward Egbuka, says a total of 17 people were killed and 85 buildings burnt in the recent herdsmen attacks in Bassa and Riyom Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State.
Egbuka told journalists at the end of an emergency meeting of the State Security Council at Government House, Jos there were attacks in Jebbu Miango in Bassa LGA where five people were killed on July 31 and 12 others killed on August 1 at Tambora in Riyom LGA.
According to the State Police boss, “there were attacks specifically at Jebbu Miango on Saturday night, July 31 in which five people were killed and about 85 buildings burnt.
“The next morning, the attacks continued at Tambora in Riyom LGA where 12 people were killed and some houses destroyed.”
The Police Commissioner added that some security personnel were killed in the attacks, saying that the State Governor, Simon Lalong, has given order to all security agencies to bring the situation under control and to fish out the attackers.
“His Excellency (the Governor) has read a riot act to us that we should move out and within two weeks bring to book all those that have perpetrated the attacks. This would be done,” he said.
He warned that instigators of reprisal attacks would not be spared saying, “human life is sacrosanct. Nobody can take it at will. There is a government on ground and lawlessness would not be accepted.”
Earlier in his remarks, Governor Lalong said that the meeting was convened to quickly address the security situation and chart strategies to nip crises in the bud.